28 - A FINE AND CHARMING BRONZE OKIMONO OF A SEATED BEAR

A FINE AND CHARMING BRONZE OKIMONO OF A SEATED BEAR Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Naturalistically cast as a bear seated on its haunches in a remarkably relaxed and engaging pose, one forepaw resting forward while the other is raised to its mouth as though licking or grooming it. The rounded body is modeled with a convincing sense of weight and volume, the dense fur finely incised throughout in subtly varying strokes. The expressive head is particularly well rendered, with small rounded ears, a broad snout, and alert eyes double-inlaid with mother-of-pearl. HEIGHT 20 cm, LENGTH 25 cm WEIGHT 4.1 kg Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear and light abrasions predominantly to the underside from surface contact. Auction comparison: Compare a related bronze figure of a bear by Atsuyoshi for the Maruki Company, similarly conceived as an exceptionally naturalistic study of the animal, dated late 19th to early 20th century, 25.2 cm tall, at Bonhams, Ancient Skills, New Worlds: Twenty Treasures of Japanese Metalwork from a Private Collection, 12 September 2018, New York, lot 19 (sold for USD 21,250 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).